Norman Shedd

Norman Shedd is March Employee of the Month at USD

VERMILLION, S.D. -- As a farmer, Norman Shedd was used to keeping his crops bountiful and his livestock well-fed. As a custodian at The University of South Dakota, he’s keeping the first and second floors at Edward Olson Hall clean and well-maintained, reasons why he was named March 2009 Career Services Employee of the Month.

"It's a lot different," Shedd said with a smile. "I used to talk to my combine, now I talk to people."

Shedd, part of the custodial operations team at the North Complex at The U, was nominated for the award by several co-workers who noted his hard work and dedication at keeping the first two floors of Olson Hall clean.

"Norm is always willing to lend a hand whenever someone needs it," stated Tammi WhiteBear in her nomination of Shedd, who has been a custodian at USD for close to eight years. "He wears a smile every day and really enjoys his job." Added nominators Karen Nelson and Cristina Bierle, Shedd "is a very nice person, hardworking and reliable. Students love Norm because he makes them feel right at home and he is very easy to work with."

In addition to many co-workers who took time to honor Shedd, several students also paid a visit to the Richardson/Olson Hall Lounge where he accepted the award at a reception in his honor.

"I really love working here," he mentioned. "Whether it's engaging in conversation with the students or the good friends I work with, it’s really nice to come to work every day."

An avid golfer, Shedd, who farmed for several years in rural Vermillion, near Spink, S.D., also enjoys his hours at USD. Once he’s completed work in the early afternoon, it’s not uncommon to find him on one of the area’s golf courses.

While his day-to-day responsibilities vary from cleaning to maintenance or helping out as needed in other areas of the building, Shedd reflects back on his decision to retire from farming, where he grew soybeans and raised a variety of livestock from cattle to hogs.

"After I retired, my kids told me, 'you've got to do something,'" explained Shedd, who resides in rural Vermillion with his wife, Patty. They have four children, all grown, and eight grandkids. "So I went looking for a part-time job and found a full-time one instead."